Cigarette dispenser



Jan. 16, 1940. Q w

CIGARETTE DISPENSER 2 SheetsSheet 1 Filed Feb. 13, 1939 ORNE Y Jan. 16, 1940. c. A. WlTT CIGARETTE DISPENSER Filed Feb. 13, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 t signals dispensing receptaclesfor Patented Jan. 16, 1940 I u in au omobiles andhouseholds lsuch receptacles in use. at. present have proven unsatisfactory. due to a- ',1ammingfupof thecigarettes when attempting to I obtainon'eirom the receptacle.

flit is a 'well-knownfactthat the ordinary automobile .drive'rgwho smokes clgarettesQwill often releasebne hand fromv the steering wheel while driving'and reech'over tothe receptacle to obtain I a cigarette, Often" times ms eiiorts to do so will cause tlie cigarettes to jam upfiinithe receptacle and his continued efiorts torele'a'se the same may divert his attention from the road long enough to cause an accident. To prevent such a calamity,

I have vprovided a receptacle which functions quickly and easily and insuring the instant withdrawal of "a cigarette whenever desired.

A iurth'r object oim'y invention is to provide a receptacle which maybequickly attached toan instrument board of an automobile without the necessity of boring holes in' the same. H

Another object of my invention'is the provision of a receptacle iordlspensin'g cigarettes which is readily adaptable for use in thehome, clubs or other dwellings, 1 H 1 .It is also an object of the invention to provide a receptacle of th'is kindwith means whereby a cigarette upon being delivered. is caused to be lighted together with means to protect the ciga: rettes within the receptacle against the lighting em t 1 With these and other objects in view as will be more iully explained as the description proceeds, my invention consistsof the certain construction d arrangement of partsas Ishall hereinafter describe'and claim. I

Fora complete understanding of thejinvention.

reference is 'to be had to the description and accompanyingdrawings. in which: I I I Fig. 1 is a vertical longitudinal. sectional view; Fig. 21s a fragmentary sectional view with the drawer member partially withdrawn;

34.15 a detail sectional view taken on the line 3-4 otFig. 1;. I I "I Fig. 4 is a vertical glongitudinalsectional view disclosing a modification of my invention;

1 Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken a receptacle constructed in accordance with another embodiment of. my invention;

. t Fig. 6 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view tbrous'h the receptacle disclosed in Fig. 5 showing certain of the parts thereof in a secondpositlon; 7 is a sectional view. taken substantially on theline 1-1 of 215 5; I t 1 the line of l'ign' l; .7 m. Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken substantially on manner-storm. 5;

- 0. s a fra e t ry v w P 11 s qiiw a andpartly in elevation illustrating one ofthe mountingsfor the flap as hereingdisclosed,v ,Referring. now to the drawln swherein like numerals-refer to like and corresponding parts throughout the several views, and inparticular to Figs. 1 to3 inclusive, the numeral I designates a receptacle for dispensing cigarettes. This receptacle I is attached to the instrument or panel board 2 of an automobile by'mean of ordinary A rubber suction cupsor bulbs 3;. Aglasspanel 4 forms the front of the receptacle, permitting a 7 ready view of the interior and its contents.

' Mounted at the top of the receptacle-J is a hinged closure or door 6 which may be opened when it is desired toload or reload the dispenser.v

slidably mountedin the lower part ofthe receptacle I is a dispensing drawer I adapted to be grasped bythe knob 8 for movement out of and into the receptacle. The drawer Ifisprovided with a depression 9 in the forward. part thereof for the reception of a cigarette, asshown in Figs. 1and2..

A pair of cam members H) are mounted upon the drawer 1 and may be detachably secured to or iorman integral part, ofthe same. These cam members are spaced equi-distantlyfrom the sidewalls of the receptacle and extend from the back wall thereof to the rear elevation of the depression 9;in the drawer. I

The cam members III are provided with dBPlBS-i sions H which are preferably formed in theforward portion ofthe cammembers to present, a slanting face to a movable nap member I2 which is swingingly secured to the rear wall of the receptacle l by means of a loophinge 'II or the like. The flap member l2 rides-onthe cam members It. and is provided on the'lower end thereof with cutout portions M, as shown in Fig. 3,- to prevent catching inthe depressions II and thereby arresting movement of the-drawer I. in a rearward The arrangement of thecam members It with theldepressions I -I andmovable-flapqlz is such as to insure-a positive coaction between. the same and to maintain the cigarettes in positionfor 50 dispensing at times. Itis believedobvious that this construction. will prevent the withdrawal of more than one cigarette at a time. Forming a part of the receptaclev l and in the lower extension thereof. is a second open u cle II comprising compartments I8 and II. The compartment I8 may be used as a storage space for extra packages of cigarettes and matches, while the compartment I! is admirably adapted for use as an ash tray. The compartment II is divided from the compartment I8 by means of a small partition I8 which lies in the plane of the front face of the receptacle I. This partition readily permits the insertion of. articles in compartment I3 but,-at the same. time, prevents accidental displacement therefrom.

The compartment II to be used as an ash tray is preferably arranged on a lower plane thanthe compartment I8 so as to present an easily accessible depository for ashes, burnt match sticks and the like, and, at thesame time, not interfere with the storing or removing of articles from compartment I8.

Referring now to the modification of my cigarette dispenser disclosed in Fig. 4 it will be seen that this construction is adapted for use in households or the like.

The receptacle I in this instance is provided with a hollow base or support IO having a door closure 28 mountedin the front face thereof. A compartment 2| is provided in the base or support I8 for the storage of extra packs of cigarettes, matches and the like.

Aligned openings 1' and I' are bored in the drawer I and the bottomportion of the receptacle I to permit moisture from a sponge 22,

placed in the compartment 2I to pass into the receptacle I for the purpose of preventing the cigarettes therein from getting dry.

An ash tray 23 forming an integral part of the base or support I8 extends forwardly of the compartment 2I to permit the dropping of ashes, etc. therein.

Mounted on top of the receptacle I (Fig. 4) and secured to the door closure 6 by suitable fastening I have provided a light fixture 24, shown as broken away in the drawings, which may take any desired form. This fixture forms a lamp member for the electric light 25 extending through an opening 28 in the door closure 6. Afiixed to the rear wall of the receptacle I is a support 21 adapted to receive a light plug 28, which provides, through the wires 28, a source of electric current for the electric light 25.

It will be seen that my combination lightand cigarette dispenser comprises a small, portable article, compact in structure and neat in appearance and an article which may be readily placed in any suitable position in the home, providing not only a source of light for the smoker but also a convenient cigarette supply, thus inuring to the quiet peace and comfort of those persons in need of relaxation.

In the operation of my invention, and assuming that the receptacle I is loaded with cigarettes, when the drawer 1 is moved outwardly, the cigarette already in the depression 8 may be extracted. .During this forward movement, the flap member I2 riding on the cam members It will cigarettes contacting therewith. When the drawer is slid backward into the receptacle I, the

pressure is removed and the next cigarette in line will drop into the depression 8.

It will be seen that pressure of the flap member I2 againstthe cigarettes nearest the front I face of receptacle I will hold the same clear of the depressions II in the guide members. However, backward movement of the drawer I will cause the cigarette nearest the depressions to be engaged thereby, preventing it from moving forward and, as stated, allowing the'cigarette first in line to be placed in position for withdrawal.

Preferably the forward ends of the inclined portions or cam members III are smooth, as clearly illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 4, which will per-- partly withdrawn to quickly raise up the flap I2 above the opening 30 in the lower part of the frontwall of the receptacle and through which the drawer 1 passes. When so raised by the lugs I8 the lower end portion of the flap I2 is closely adjacent to the front wall of the receptacle and thereby effectually prevents any of the cigarettes remaining in the receptacle above the flap I2 from dropping down upon the drawer I or the cam members I8 carried thereby until after the drawer has been returned whereupon a single cigarette will drop within the depression 8.

It is obvious that in this construction there can be no jamming of cigarettes, inasmuch as each part thereof is so arranged as to cooperate in the simple and instant withdrawal of a cigarette.

In the embodiment of the invention disclosed in Figs. 5 to 9 inclusive, the receptacle R has its bottom open and the lower marginal portions of the side walls 48 of the receptacle are formed to provide inwardly facing guideways 32 in which engage the side marginal portions of a sliding drawer 33. The forward edge of this drawer 33 is provided with an upstanding wall 34 vwhich, when the drawer 3? is fully retracted within the receptacle R, closes the opening 35 in the bottom ,of the front wall 38 of the receptacle R and through which opening 35 the drawer 33 passes. The central portion of the drawer 33 is pressed upwardly, as at 31, to provide a finger hold whereby the drawer 33 may be readily withdrawn or retracted although if preferred other means may be provided for this purpose.

The drawer 33 is provided along its opposite side portions with the upstanding cam members or plates 38. These plates 38 are of duplicate construction and extend rearwardly from the front wall 34 of the drawer to a point closely adjacent to the rear ,wall 39 of the receptacle B. These plates 38 immediately adjacent to the front wall 34 of the drawer 33 are provided with the depressions or recesses 40 in which are received the extremities of a cigarette M to be dispensed. The upper edge of each of the members or plates 38 from the depression or recess 48 therein to a predetermined point inwardly of said depression or recess 40 is disposed, as at 42, on an upward incline providing a cam edge for initially raising the fiap 43 as the drawer 33 is pulled outwardly. The plate 38 immediately adjacent to the rear or upper end of the cam edge 42 is provided with an upstanding lug 44 of required height which provides means for abruptly raising the flap 43 to lift the lower portion of the flap 42 above the opening 35 and sufiiciently close to the front wall 36 of the receptacle R to prevent a cigarette 45 from dropping down below the raised fiap 43 until the drawer 33 has been retracted or returned.

The iiap 43 is of a width to exinnd outwardly beyond the cam members 30 and the upper end of this flap at each corner isformed to provide an outwardly and laterally disposed lug 45 which is freely disposed through an opening 41 provided in a bracket arm 48 carried by an adiacentside wall 49 of the reoeptacle B. This mounting! the upper end portion of the flaptflypermits the same to freely swing upwardly and downwardly, the downward movement of course being by gravity while the upper movement is under the influence of the cam edges 42 and the lugs 44 of the cam members 33.

The drawer 33 adjacent to its forward end carries an igniting element 50 in the form of a flat spiral. This ignitor is of a conventional type and, therefore, a detailed explanation is not believed to be necessary other than to say that a fiat face of this element 50 is substantially in alignment with the depressions or recess 40 in the members 38 so that upon proper endwise movement being given to a cigarette within said depressions or recesses 40 an end thereof will be caused to contact with the element 50 to light said end of the cigarette when, of course, the element 50 is functioning. This element 50 has extending inwardly therefrom an elongated contact arm 5| terminating in an inwardly directed bill 52. This bill 52 upon withdrawal of the drawer 33 comes into contact with a downwardly inclined contact arm 53 carried by the rear wall 39 of the receptacle R and having proper connection with a suitable source of electrical energy. The outer end of this arm 53 is provided with an inwardly and downwardly disposed bill 54 which is adapted to contact with the contact arm 5| which, as illustrated in Fig. 8, is disposed on a slight upward incline. Upon contact between the arms 51 and 53 the element 50 will function but such contact between the arms 5| and 53 will not occur until after the drawer 33 has been pulled out a distance sufliciently to entirely position the cigarette within the depressions or recesses 40 exteriorly of the receptacle.

When the cigarette is initially received within the depressions or recesses 40, as clearly indicated in Fig. '7, said cigarette will be entirely free from the element 50. However, as the drawer 33 is initially withdrawn the cigarette ll is pushed or shifted into contact with the element 50 as a result of the cam portion 55 of an elongated spring arm 56 contacting with and riding over an inwardly disposed projection 5'! carried by the adjacent side wall 49 of the receptacle R. The outer or free end of this arm 55 terminates in a position to have desired shifting contact with the end of the cigarette ll remote from the element 50 and the inner end portion of this arm 56 is suitably anchored, as at 58, to the inner end portion of the adjacent cam plate 38.

To protect the cigarettes remaining in the receptacle R. and retained by the flap #3 against the element 50 and particularly when the drawer 33 is returned or retracted, I provide along the side of the flap 43 adjacent to the element 50 and the arms 5| and 53 an upstanding guard plate 59, said plate being of such dimensions as to afford protection against the element 50 in all positions of the flap 43.

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that a cigarette dispenser for automobiles and household use constructed in accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and operated, and it will also be obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and modification without-departing from the principles and spirit thereof and for this reason I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carrying out my invention in practice except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim:

1. In a cigarette dispenser, a receptacle, a

drawer slidably supported by the receptacle, said drawer having means for carrying out a single cigarette upon withdrawal of the drawer, an

igniting element carried by the drawer for 00- action with the cigarette carried by said drawer, and coacting means carried by the drawer and the receptacle for contact with the cigarette to move the same into contact with the igniting element as the drawer moves outwardly.

2. In a cigarette dispenser, a receptacle, a drawer slidably supported by the receptacle, said drawer having means for carrying out a single cigarette upon withdrawal of the drawer, an igniting element carried by the drawer for coaction with the cigarette carried by said drawer, coacting means carried by the drawer and the receptacle for contact with the cigarette to move the same into contact with the igniting element as the drawer moves outwardly, said igniting element being inoperative when the drawer is in fully closed position within the receptacle, and means for making said igniting element effective upon retraction of the drawer.

3. In a cigarette dispenser, a receptacle, a drawer slidably supported by the receptacle, said drawer having means for carrying out a single cigarette upon withdrawal of the drawer, an igniting element carried by the drawer for coaction with the cigarette carried by said drawer, coacting means carried by the drawer and the receptacle for contact with the cigarette to move the same into contact with the igniting element as the drawer moves outwardly, a flap mounted within the receptacle above the drawer for con trolling the delivery of a cigarette to the drawer, and means carried by the flap for protecting the cigarettes within the receptacle against contact with the igniting element.

4. .In a cigarette dispenser, a receptacle, a drawer movable outwardly and inwardly of the receptacle, means carried by the forward portion of the drawer to receive a single cigarette, a flap within the receptacle above the drawer and pivoted for vertical swinging movement, said flap permitting only a single cigarette to be delivered to the drawer when the drawer is returned empty, and means carried by the drawer for first slowly raising the flap and then quickly raising the flap as the drawer is moved outwardly.

5. A cigarette dispenser comprising a receptacle, a drawer movable outwardly and inwardly of the receptacle, a plurality of upstanding members carried by the drawer, the forward portions of said members having recesses to receive and support a single cigarette, the upper edges of the members immediately adjacent to said recesses being upwardly inclined, a flap supported within the receptacle above the drawer and for swinging movement in a vertical direction, said flap resting upon the inclined edges of the members and terminating immediately adjacent to the recesses of the members when the drawer is fully closed.

6. A cigarette dispenser comprising a receptacle, a drawer movable outwardly and inwardly of the receptacle, a plurality of upstanding members and terminating immediately adjacent to the recesses of the members when the drawer is fully closed, and upstanding lugs carried by the members immediately adjacent to the inclined edges .otsaid members to provide further means for raising the flap as the drawer is withdrawn to deliver a cigarette.

, V CARL A. wrrr. 

